Old Man Pi originally didn't want to think about this matter, but after Old Man Chang said this, he couldn't help but think about it. After thinking for a while, he said, "It shouldn't be, right? Even if the Zhang family found a place there, how could they have so many people to build a country?
Using local people? They don't speak the same language as the locals, so they won't be able to do that in a short time. Think about it, the Zhang family will have a hard time dealing with the locals once they get there. If they really want to establish a country, won't the Great Tang attack them? "
"Why should we beat them up? It's not like that's the land of the Great Tang. Do they really think that the entire world belongs to the Great Tang? Moreover, we're not familiar with that place, and they can just slowly familiarize themselves with it. How could there be no one? There were already quite a number of people in their family.
There's also the people from Zhuangzi in San Shui County. If it were someone else, the people might not follow them. However, if the Zhang family wants the villagers to follow them, I believe they won't hesitate at all. Apart from that, there's also the people in Lu Zhou. If Zhang Zhong makes a call, how many of the people here will follow him? "
Old Man Chang understood and explained the advantages of the Zhang family. He thought for a while and said, "How do you know that the Zhang family can't beat those locals? Didn't you see it just now? In order to go to other places, the Zhang family began to make weapons that could be carried on their shoulders.
The Zhang family was able to make such a weapon the first time they were on guard. Do you think that the Zhang family wouldn't be able to come up with something even more powerful during the second battle? Just like what you said in your letter, the Zhang family made firecrackers in order to make money. The Zhang family blew up the other side of the river so that the water could pass through easily.
This is exactly what we discussed during our discussion. As long as there is a need, the Zhang family will make it. You see, there isn't much to it now because they don't have that kind of need yet. Look at the pier and the seawall. The Zhang family needs it, so the cement is produced. They want to make more clairvoyants. The Zhang family needs it, so the glass is produced.
Was there anything they wouldn't do? I'm really scared. If they establish a country there and turn around to attack Great Tang, wouldn't we become sinners? We've been protecting them all this time, especially you. You even participated in the matter of Zhang Zhong becoming the top scorer. "
The more Old Man Chang spoke, the smoother his words became. Towards the end, his expression changed. If the Zhang Family and the Wang Family suddenly didn't come back, the loss wouldn't be limited to the money earned from those transactions. Old Man Chang believed that without the Zhang Family, those transactions would eventually become worse and worse.
The most important thing was to lose two masters. That would be the most unbearable thing. If the masters worked for Great Tang, then Great Tang would have already destroyed those small countries that had been enduring. But now, they could only let them exist, and there wasn't any good way to deal with them.
Old Man Pi also felt a lot of pressure now. He also thought of this problem. He was protecting the Zhang family, so he couldn't be sure what the Zhang family was thinking. He could only think of some situations in a positive way. This way, he would feel more comfortable. If one day the Zhang family really established a country in another place, his family would have to take the blame for the Zhang family.
Considering these things, Old Man Pi took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. He said, "I don't think the Zhang family will do this. Otherwise, they wouldn't let us know. What are they going to do? The more people who know, the more danger there is. Do they think that we can always protect them?
I believe they also understand why I protect them. One reason is that Xiao Bao and Cuckoo are too sensible. Another reason is that Zhang Zhong can always let the people live a good life with the help of the Zhang family. Most importantly, the two masters of the Zhang family can bring more benefits to Great Tang.
If they have any thoughts of betrayal, as long as I have the ability, the first one to deal with them will be me. How can the two masters of the Zhang family not understand? Even if they understand, they still told us the secret. This is to tell us that they won't do anything bad to us.
Sometimes, some things depend on the person. The people of the Zhang family aren't that ambitious. I think what they do is the same as you and me. They are all doing it for the country. Otherwise, why would they give up the propeller? Why would they give up the jib sail technology? "
Old Man Pi could only let himself think like this. Otherwise, he would be driven crazy by this matter. Even if Old Man Chang still had doubts in his heart, he had to admit that what the Zhang family did was indeed for the country and for the people. Since a few years ago, they had slowly improved the lives of the people in their places.
They even specially built hospitals. If they were more ruthless, they would have earned all the money. However, they didn't do that. They tried their best to arrange for the people to do things for them, so that they could earn more income. They also thought of ways to increase the grain production.
They had given up any benefit that they could give up. Only those who kept an eye on them knew how much of an impact their actions had on the Great Tang and how many benefits they had brought to the country. There was no second official or businessman like this in the Great Tang.
If they really had other intentions, they would have kept more secrets. He believed that the two masters of the Zhang family would have been able to achieve their goals. Why would they give up all the good things?
After thinking about it, Old Man Chang's mood improved. He said, "They are indeed good people. Even if they have made a lot of money themselves, just look at the Little Prince. If they weren't good people, how could the Little Prince become so caring for the people? How many princes and marquises are free and unfettered all day long? But Li Xun has followed them and put his thoughts on the people.
They can make money because of their ability, not because of other reasons. Especially Xiao Bao and Cuckoo. These two little guys know how to care for people. If I didn't take care of them like they did, I would have given up long ago. When they came, I already felt that I couldn't take it anymore.
But those doctors and their usual diet helped me to heal the discomfort in my body. I had already taught them how to raise pigeons. I was useless to them, but they had been taking care of me all this time.
And those old men and women who have no one to take care of them. They specially built a nursing home for the elderly and made so many games to help them relieve their boredom.
In addition, this is a playground for the children. How could such people do such a disgraceful thing? I believe in them. I will continue to protect them in the future. "
Old Man Chang came to a conclusion. For a moment, the two of them were in a good mood again.
When it was time to fish, they would fish. When it was time to argue, they would not relax.
At this time, Zhang Xiaobao came up with a plan. He found Wang Juan and began to discuss with her when to send people out and how to come back. They had to think about it carefully. They just had to wait a few times.
"Xiao Bao, we just scared Grandpa Zhang and Grandpa Bi. I don't know what they will think. Maybe they will think that we are going to rebel. What should we do now?"
When Wang Juan saw Zhang Xiaobao coming over, she began to tell Zhang Xiaobao what had just happened.
After hearing this, Zhang Xiaobao also began to think about this matter. This matter was not serious. If it was not serious, it would easily cause the two old men to have a heart attack. This would not do.
After thinking for a while, he said, "How about this. After we find the place, we will find a way to get the imperial court involved. This way, they won't have to worry. First, we will finish this arrangement. Then, we will find the two of them and tell them. We can't let them get sick. We still hope that they will live for a few more years."
Zhang Xiaobao knew that he and Wang Juan had no intention of rebelling. How tiring was it to be an emperor? There was no free time in the whole day. Rather than this, it was better to guard their own place and slowly live a good life.
As for when it developed to a certain extent, the pressure from some individuals was nothing. They just had to fight together and treat it as a game.
What was there to be afraid of? Only the incompetent would escape and run to other places to establish themselves as kings. The capable ones would follow the waves and eliminate the sand.
Zhang Xiaobao did not think that he and Wang Juan were not capable enough, so he would not choose to run outside to establish a family. What was the point of that? If they wanted to change something, they would participate and change it. It was the most fun to be with everyone.
Moreover, the two of them did not dislike this Tang Dynasty era. If it was another dynasty, the two of them might think of a way. Naturally, they could not rebel now. If they had the time, they would think of ways to help the Tang Dynasty advance further.
Wang Juan also understood Zhang Xiaobao's thoughts. She had discussed with Zhang Xiaobao not to rebel and to bring more places into the Tang Dynasty's map. At that time, the two of them could safely guard their money and live a stable life. Of course, if the Tang Dynasty attacked a country, or if a country took the initiative to attack, the two of them would take the time to participate. Everyone would fight together.
Considering these things, Wang Juan began to discuss the specific matters with Zhang Xiaobao. They had to make sure that nothing went wrong.
"Xiao Bao, when the time comes, let Grandpa Zhang and Grandpa Bi go out to sea and see if their bodies can bear it. After all, it is not like when we came here. We can walk all the way along the shore. There is a waterway that takes many days to walk there. There is nothing around."
After the discussion was almost done, Wang Juan asked Zhang Xiaobao.
Zhang Xiaobao knew that if they did that, the two of them would be more relieved. After thinking for a while, he said, "It seems that this boat is not good now. When we build a bigger boat in the future, there will be no problem. Let's go and find Grandpa Bi and Grandpa Zhang to chat."
After Zhang Xiaobao finished speaking, he pulled Wang Juan to find Old Man Chang and Old Man Pi. The two old men had almost thought it through, but Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan did not know. They still had to comfort them. Otherwise, it would be troublesome if the two of them had a psychological problem.
At this time, it was already afternoon. After a while, it would be dark. When Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan arrived at the two old men's fishing spot, the two of them had already harvested a lot. They were talking and laughing there, looking very relaxed.
"Grandpa Bi, Grandpa Zhang, you actually caught so much. This is great. We will have something good to eat tonight." Wang Juan jumped over and said to the two old men.
Zhang Xiaobao also ran over and said, "It just so happens that Juan Juan and I don't have anything to do tonight, so the two of us will personally cook the fish. There must be some braised fish, some steamed fish, and some fish soup."
When the two old men saw Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan coming over, they were very happy. Old Man Pi touched Zhang Xiaobao's head and said, "That's really good. Old Man Chang and I will have a good meal. It will be great if we can eat the food that you two make every day in the future."
Old Man Chang also laughed. He grabbed a handful of melon seeds from the side and gave them to Wang Juan. He said, "Eat more. You have to grow strong."
When Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan saw that the two old men didn't mention that matter, they looked at each other. It was up to the two of them to mention it. Wang Juan said to the two old men,
"We actually want to make good food for Grandpa Zhang and Grandpa Bi every day, but that won't do. I still have to take care of the new weapon. If our people go there and they are directly attacked by the local people without saying anything, we have to have some means to defend ourselves.
The main thing is that we have too few people. We only have so few people, and we still have to add Young Master Li's people. The first time we go there, we will explore the road. When we find this road, if someone bullies us, we will ask the imperial court to send troops. Grandpa Bi, when that time comes, you have to help us talk to the imperial court. Otherwise, we won't be able to get troops.
The people who have just been recruited are not of any use yet. Only the powerful people from the imperial court can be useful. Once we occupy that place, we will need the imperial court to send some people to that place to see if there are any good minerals there. What if there is gold or something like that?
Those things can't be mined by us, right? We need the imperial court to send people to do it. But first, we have to say that the imperial court doesn't allow us to collect taxes on the business we do there. If they want to collect taxes, they can only pay us after we transport the goods over. Otherwise, we can't make money. "
As soon as Wang Juan finished speaking, Zhang Xiaobao also said, "That's right. We can't be in charge of that place by ourselves. Maybe there are some mountain people there. When the time comes, the imperial court should turn that place into the Tang Empire's land and send people to manage it.
However, we have to think carefully about the person in charge. We can't let him stay there forever, and we can't let him bring his family. Generally speaking, it would be about two to three years. When the time comes, we have to change the person immediately. We have to be especially worried about the officials sent there. If he keeps saying that there is a war there and that's why he can't come back, then we have to get him back.
This is to prevent him from raising bandits outside and slowly developing his own power. If he wants to rebel, we can't do anything about it. We have to do it well. We can also send people to check on him frequently. My family's caravan will also be in charge of collecting information.
I estimate that he will go back and forth once every few months. If he doesn't come back even once, we have to prepare for war. Something must have happened there. Also, Grandpa Bi can think of a way to find some people who are very loyal to the country and send them to help with things. That way, we can restrict each other. "
After Zhang Xiaobao finished speaking, he breathed a sigh of relief. He felt that if Grandpa Zhang and Grandpa Bi still couldn't understand the meaning behind his and Wang Juan's words, they would have lived for nothing.
Sure enough, after Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan said what they wanted, Old Man Chang and Old Man Pi were shocked. The two of them looked at Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan and didn't know what to say for a moment.
Old Man Pi and Old Man Chang understood that they must have gone to look for Wang Juan today. Wang Juan told the Zhang family about it. The Zhang family was afraid that the two of them would be worried, so they asked the two of them to come over and say such things. What they said couldn't be clearer.
That was, the Zhang family didn't want to occupy that place themselves in the future and needed the imperial court to send people. In this way, the Zhang family could still rebel. Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan had already told them the method to prevent a rebellion.
Although they wouldn't have a good understanding of that place if they kept changing people, this way, in such a short time, if they changed the generals and soldiers, they wouldn't have much time to prepare for a rebellion. Not to mention, their families were still there. If they used several methods together, they believed that the officials there would know what to do.
In particular, the Zhang family's caravan would go there in the future. It just so happened that there would be more eyes and ears. If something happened to the other caravan, the Zhang family couldn't. As long as anything happened to the Zhang family's caravan, they could immediately prepare to send troops.
In this way, that place could really become a place of the Tang Empire. This was really great. Not only were they happy, but the Emperor was also happy.
The two old men looked at each other, then looked at Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan, and nodded. Old Man Pi asked softly, "Then if there are other caravans going there, won't your family's business be affected?"
When Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan heard this, they knew that the two old men were relieved and were now thinking about their own families. The two of them had already thought about this matter, and Zhang Xiaobao was the one to answer.
"My family has also thought about what Grandfather Bi is thinking about, but we aren't worried. There are so many riches in this world. If we only think about making money, not only will we not make money in the end, we might even lose our lives. It's better to let others join in so that everyone can make money together.
No matter how powerful my family is, it's impossible for us to control so many goods, unless we don't tell others where that place is. That's only possible in the early stage. When others find out that our family has a special way to make money, one of them will come to attack us, and the other will be to build ships to follow us.
"This is not the most worrying thing. If one day my family has more wealth than the entire Tang Empire, Grandfather Bi, what do you think the consequences will be? My family is not stupid.
So, my family has decided that when this road is really opened, we will discuss with the imperial court and let them form a caravan to follow us. That way, the imperial court will have money. "
After saying this, Zhang Xiaobao picked up the teacup beside him and drank a few mouthfuls. It was too difficult to explain that he had no ambition.
At this time, Old Man Chang and Old Man Pi understood everything. They realized that their previous fear was unnecessary. Look at the Zhang family. They thought so well. They did not infringe on the interests of others at all. They even thought of the imperial court when doing business.
The Zhang family could say that they would not let their family's wealth surpass the entire Tang Empire, which meant that they knew how to protect themselves.
However, Old Man Chang still wanted to tease Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan, so he asked, "If your family really has a lot of money, and the imperial court uses a lot of money in the war, and your family happens to have more money than the Tang Empire, what will your family do?"
At this time, Wang Juan interrupted and said, "Grandpa Zhang, don't worry. Our family's money will definitely not be returned by the imperial court. If the imperial court needs to fight, my family will directly take out a lot of money and then secretly send it to the imperial court through some channels. Yes, secretly. We will not let other people know. Even some officials with low positions will not know.
That money will be the imperial court's, not our family's. We will always adjust like this. We will not let the imperial court be unable to do other things because of money. Grandpa Zhang, do you understand? In fact, we don't care who has more money than us. We just like the process of making money.
This includes all kinds of calculations and new ideas. This is what we pursue. When money reaches a certain level, it's not just money anymore. It's just a number. With the way our family spends money, we can't spend that much money at all.
Maybe we will use a lot of money in the name of the imperial court to build roads and bridges. In short, our family doesn't want a good reputation. A little reputation is enough. We don't want to be as rich as a country. That needs to be guaranteed by military force. "
"Good, really good. If you can think like this, then your Zhang Family and Wang Family will no longer have to worry about anyone daring to touch you. Indeed, as you said, when money reaches a certain level, it will be impossible to spend it all. It will also make others jealous. Then take it out. My words are right here. If your family really does that, nothing will happen to you even if you go against a Prince."
After listening to Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan, Old Man Pi was really relieved. These two masters even thought about this matter. It was not easy. Since they had done so, he should write something to the Emperor. He did not want to wait until something happened to the Zhang Family and Wang Family.
Who asked them to be so good at making money? There was no other way.
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